Bishop Grosseteste University

Summary

History

BGU started off as a teacher training college for the Diocese of Lincoln in 1862. Its degrees were awarded by the University of Leicester and the college had previously been occupied by and earlier, unsuccessful training establishment for male teachers, built in 1842. The college takes its present name from Robert Grosseteste, a 13th-century Bishop of Lincoln. It was granted full university status on 3 December 2012 alongside the power to award its own.

The University still maintains its Church of England ethos in valuing faith.

University Environment

BGU is situated on a single-site campus in uphill Lincoln, a short walk from the historic Bailgate area, the Cathedral and Castle, and surrounding mediaeval streets. There is plenty of green space surrounding a blend of older buildings, some date from the 1840s and are still in use today, and newer buildings with the latest learning and teaching facilities.

The campus social life is enhanced by the dedicated Students' Union buildings, a student common room and a Sport and Fitness centre, as well our on-campus cinema, The Venue. In recent years, the campus has seen many new developments. These include an extension to the Library (the Cornerstone building) which was completed in 2012 and doubled the study space available to students, an upgrade to the on-campus Bishop Greaves Theatre, which holds regular screenings of both popular Hollywood releases and independent films, and a brand-new £4.3m hall of residence.

BGU attracts a variety of students, including mature and local students, for instance, 27% of the undergraduate is aged 21 or above at the start of their course, and 50% come from a 30-mile (50-kilometre) radius.

Academics

Research

BGU's research reflects both the existing and developing curriculum areas of the University. Research clusters include: Children and Young People; Identity, Culture and Communication; Public Policy and Professional Practice in Education; Transitions in Higher Education; and Wellbeing and Resilience.

International & Industrial Opportunities 

BGU participates in the Erasmus exchange programme while many of their courses offer individual and group exchanges through international projects. In addition, The BGU Foundation provides a number of grants each year to support voluntary work or other innovative, creative, charitable or community based projects both here in the UK or overseas, that enhance the student experience and help to make a difference to other peoples’ lives. BGU Foundation is set up by alumni of BGU.

Fees & Finance

Bursaries

BGU offer the BGU Bursary of up to £550 to all full-time students with a household income of £30,000 or less.

Facilities

Learning Facilities

Library resources include over 140,000 physical resources, as well as hundreds of thousands of online resources such as journal articles, e-books and other documents, and over 70 databases. The library also has four special collections: Teaching Resources Collection of over 24,000 teaching materials and children’s books; Lincolnshire Collection of over 4,000 books on Lincolnshire history, archaeology, flora and fauna, geology, trade and industry, language, heritage and architecture; Lincoln Mystery Plays Archive, incorporating the Keith Ramsey Collection and the Hunt Collection of three separate sets of materials relating to the First and Second World Wars.

Study facilities in the library include a large Social Study Suite for collaborative work, a 24-hour IT area and a Silent Study Suite containing individual study booths. Other IT facilities include 60 fixed computers, printer-copiers, specialist finishing equipment, and free Wi-Fi access throughout the building.

The Centre for Enhancement in Learning and Teaching (CELT) is dedicated to developing teaching and learning across the University. CELT is comprised of staff working in Learning Development, Digital Learning and Student Engagement.

The Learning Development team focuses primarily on enhancing the student experience. Tutors within Learning Development can offer advice and guidance to students with their academic literacies and study skills. Students can choose to access this service through one-to-one appointments, group workshops or by downloading their bespoke study skills resources from the University’s Virtual Learning Environment platform, Blackboard.

Students are welcome to pop into the Digital Learning department for one-to-one assistance and advice with any learning technologies that they use for their studies.

The Student Engagement Facilitator works with staff and students to help shape the learning experiences of both.

Sporting Facilities

BGU’s Sport and Fitness Centre houses a spacious sports hall,which sees a variety of different sporting activities that you can take part in, including 5-a-side football, netball, basketball, volleyball and badminton, with all equipment for your chosen sport provided for.

If sport isn’t your thing, there’s a wide range of fitness classes running regularly, from Zumba to Pilates, Circuits and Abs Blast. The University’s recently refurbished Fitness Suite has a great selection of equipment including treadmills, cross trainers and rowing machines.

Students' Union

Students' Union

BGU Student’s Union (BGSU) has a long list of established societies, ranging from poker to musicals, history to games, and many more in between. BGSU Team hosts a range of exciting events including talent competitions, comedians, hypnotists, magicians, laser questing and band nights.

If you want to help raise money for charity, or have a charity that you want the BGSU to support, Raise And Give (RAG) can help. In the past they have supported Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation, Help for Heroes and many, many more by holding events and campaigns.

BGU Retail operates in three very different areas across campus where you can relax and enjoy a wide range of food and beverage. Curiositea, situated in the heart of the University, boasts an Alice in Wonderland themed luxurious and vibrant 60-seat capacity coffee shop with additional patio seating and outside courtyard. The Refectory is BGU's main food outlet, blending great modern design while retaining a traditional homely feel. Here you can find hot food throughout the day as well as a wide selection of sandwiches and snacks. Bar BG is located within the Student Union building and works alongside the BGSU team to bring headline events, weekly social activities and live acts throughout the year. The bar also provides a space where you can watch sports, and there is an excellent selection of pizzas, wraps and snacks available to eat in or take away.

BGSU can also help you with any learning or accommodation issues through its Academic Support forum and Housing Support resources.

Student Support

Religion & Spirituality

The Chaplaincy team, led by the Dean of Chapel, plays an important part in the day-to-day pastoral care of the University’s students. They are actively engaged with you from the very first days of the induction and welcome process, and are always available to anyone who seek support and a listening ear, irrespective of religious affiliation or beliefs. Being a Church of England University, the Chaplaincy is at the heart of university life and offers friendship and hospitality to all members of the local and university community.

BGU welcomes students and staff of all faiths and none. As a Church of England University, they offer opportunities on campus for students to gather and worship, using material and input from a variety of traditions. BGU Chapel is a special place where you can find a quiet space for personal reflection and prayer or light a candle The Chaplaincy team works closely with representatives of other local Christian denominations and other faith groups, and can help you locate and engage with faith communities which are right for you, as well as support you if you are looking to explore new or alternative experiences. 

In addition to the Chapel, there is a prayer room with washing facilities close by, and a comfortable and welcoming chaplaincy space set aside within the Students’ Union building.

Health & Wellbeing

BGU Student Advice Team provides a wide range of services offering advice and guidance to students, including funding, debt, employment and legal issues. Through the Student Advice Team, BGU also offers an independent and impartial counselling service which is held off campus.

If you are a student with a disability, mental health condition or a specific learning difference when applying, the University can provide information about the support available to you and give you an idea of the support package you can expect to receive during your studies. When you’ve joined the University, they can then liaise between you and other relevant parties (e.g. your tutors) to ensure you consistently receive effective support.

Career Facilities

The BG Futures Careers, Employability and Enterprise team, are on hand to support you throughout your studies to equip you with the expertise to make well-informed career decisions, identify and secure opportunities and become highly desirable to employers. They offer support in a number of different ways to suit individual needs, including: confidential one-on-one guidance appointments to help focus your direction for your future career; CV checking; Job shop with access to voluntary, temporary, full-time, part-time and graduate, local and national opportunities; lectures and workshops on careers, employability and enterprise such as writing techniques; careers fairs where you can talk to local companies and find out more about opportunities; a networking Club where you can chat with professionals in your chosen field of study; and business start-up advice and links to the BG Futures incubation centre for new businesses.

BGU offers a wide variety of rewarding opportunities to volunteer within the local community or further afield, enabling you to explore cultural issues or help with a cause close to your heart. By volunteering, students are eligible to apply for the Volunteering Award, which recognises the work you have accomplished and the hours you have dedicated. The Award can then be incorporated into your CV when you apply for a job.

Furthermore, degree courses at the University include the opportunity for work placements so you are able to put your learning into action almost straight away.

Accommodation

BGU Accommodation team is on hand to help you with every aspect of applying for your accommodation.

There are two BGU halls of residence in the heart of the campus, with over 200 rooms available, so you’ll be within easy reach of the library, lectures and friends. All of the University’s accommodation is self-catered. Constance Stewart Hall is the largest on-campus accommodation block, comprising of 91 study bedrooms split over four floors with shared facilities including kitchens, bathrooms and showers. Wickham Hall features contemporary en-suite, cluster flats, comprising of 126 rooms. Each flat comes with six private en-suite, study bedrooms and a communal kitchen living area.

You can also stay off-campus, at Crosstrend House or Rasen Lane. Crosstrend House is just a five-minute walk from campus, comprises of 73 en-suite studio rooms with their own en-suite and kitchenette, and four shared facility rooms such as a communal kitchen and communal lounge. Rasen Lane, located within a ten minute walk to BGU and 5 minutes to the Historic Cathedral Quarter, has 36 en-suite rooms arranged in clusters of 2,3, and 5 bedroom apartments, with fully equipped open plan kitchen and living area.

The majority of places in halls is offered to first year UK/EU undergraduate students who have firmly accepted an academic offer and submitted an accommodation application.

International

International Support

BGU’s International Induction Event helps you to familiarise yourself with UK culture and provide the opportunity for you to get all your questions answered.  

On your arrival, you are given the opportunity to have a current BGU student as your Buddy to help you to find your way around and familiarise yourself with life in Lincoln.  

The University's Student Advice team is your first stop for a range of services offering advice and assistance from current students. They have access to reliable, up-to-date resources and information regarding visas, immigration, access to UK Health Services and working in the UK.

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